Queue management

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are methods and devices for queue management that allow a person waiting in the queue to choose to receive at least one warning communication, for example on a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone. In some embodiments, the person agrees to “buy” the warnings and concomitant free time by agreeing to pay for at least one warning communication and/or by agreeing to accept advertisements.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/148,084, filed 6 Jan. 2014, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/591,262, filed 22 Aug. 2012, which is aContinuation in Part of PCT/IB2011/050861 having an International FilingDate of 1 Mar. 2011 and also gains priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/309,496, filed 2 Mar. 2010, all of which applicationsare included by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in some embodiments, relates to the field of queuemanagement, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods anddevices for queue management that in some aspects are superior to thoseknown in the art. The invention, in some embodiments, relates to thefield of advertisement, and more particularly, but not exclusively, tomethods and devices for focused advertisement that in some aspects aresuperior to those known in the art.

In many situations, a demand for a service is greater than the abilityto supply the service, for example to receive a prescription in apharmacy or to load/unload a truck at a depot or terminal. As a result,people requiring the service are forced to wait for a long period oftime in a queue. Typically, to increase physical comfort, a personjoining a queue is assigned a turn in the queue and given a turn-ticketon which the assigned turn is designated, e.g., printed on a piece ofpaper. A succeeding turn is announced every time a service provider isavailable and the person holding the turn-ticket with the announced turnis provided with the service.

Waiting in a queue is a waste of time and money. Instead of doingsomething useful or pleasurable during the wait in a queue, a person inthe queue must wait patiently in a reception area and follow theprogression of the queue. A person can decide to leave the receptionarea, but risks losing their turn if they are not physically presentwhen their turn announced.

It has been suggested to allow people to order a turn in a queue from aremote location, for example from home. In some cases, a person orders aspecific time to be served or is assigned a specific time that isexpected to be available. Such methods can be inefficient as there is noguarantee that a person will actually come for the service. Further,usually the person arrives at the specific assigned time and still mustwait for a period of time before being served.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the invention relate to methods and devices forqueue management that in some aspects have advantages over known methodsand devices for queue management.

Disclosed are methods and devices for queue management that allow aperson waiting in the queue to choose to receive at least one warningcommunication, for example on a wireless communication device such as acellular telephone. In some embodiments, the person agrees to “buy” thewarning communications and concomitant free time by agreeing to pay forat least one warning communication and/or by agreeing to acceptadvertisements.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention there isprovided, a method for queue management for a service provided at aservice location, comprising:

-   -   a. positioning at least one turn-distributing terminal at a        waiting area;    -   b. upon request by a person for a turn from a turn-distributing        terminal, assigning the person a turn in a queue, and in some        embodiments providing the person with a turn-ticket designating        the turn;    -   c. offering the person an option of receiving at least one        warning communication warning of the approach of the turn;    -   d. subsequent to c, if the person accepts the offer, accepting a        communication route of the person in the waiting area; and    -   e. prior to the turn, transmitting to the person at least one        warning communication.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement kiosk physically located at the waiting area, and the requestby a person comprises the person interacting with a user-interface ofthe queue management kiosk, such as by pressing a button on the queuemanagement kiosk or by interacting with a graphic user-interface of thequeue management kiosk.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,and the request by a person comprises the person providing biometricidentification information to the biometric queue management kiosk, suchas by placing a finger on a fingerprint scanner of the biometric queuemanagement kiosk, or by allowing his or her eye to be scanned by an irisscanner of the biometric queue management kiosk.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point, and the request by a person comprises theperson using a wireless communication device, such as a suitablyequipped mobile telephone, laptop computer, or tablet computer, whilephysically located in the waiting area to connect to the queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point. In some such embodiments, the queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point comprises a dedicated Wi-Fi access point.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Bluetooth® transceiver, and the request by a person comprisesthe person using a wireless communication device, such as a suitablyequipped mobile telephone, laptop computer, or tablet computer, whilephysically located in the waiting area, to connect to the queuemanagement Bluetooth® transceiver. In some such embodiments, the queuemanagement Bluetooth® transceiver comprises a dedicated Bluetooth®transceiver.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal is configured toobtain positioning information. In some such embodiments, the request bythe person comprises the person accessing an application running on amobile communication device, such as a suitably equipped mobiletelephone. Following receipt of the request, assigning the turn in thequeue comprises the turn-distributing terminal obtaining positioninginformation for the mobile communication device, and assigning theperson a turn in the queue only if the person is located in or near thewaiting area, as indicated by the positioning information.

In some embodiments, the positioning information comprises GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) information (e.g. GPS, GLONAS). Insome embodiments, the positioning information comprises informationobtained from a mobile communication center regarding a wireless relaypoint for mobile communication (e.g. cellular telephony antenna)currently being accessed by the mobile communication device used by theperson.

In some embodiments, transmitting of at least one warning communicationis contingent on receipt of an agreement to pay for at least one warningcommunication.

In some embodiments, accepting the communication route of the person isthrough the turn-distributing terminal. In some embodiments, thecommunication route is a contact number of a mobile communicationdevice. In some embodiments, the communication route is an email addressaccessible by a mobile communication device. In some embodiments, thecommunication route is an instant messaging and/or chat usernameaccessible by a mobile communication device.

In some embodiments, transmitting of at least one warning communicationis contingent on receipt of a valid response to a confirmationcommunication transmitted through the communication route. In someembodiments, transmitting of the at least one warning communication iscontingent on receipt of a response to the confirmation communicationthrough the turn-distributing terminal.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises, accepting a desirednumber of warning communications from the person, that is to say thenumber of warning communications the person would like transmitted.

In some embodiments, at least one warning communication is transmittedto the communication route.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises, subsequent toaccepting the communication route, sending the person an advertisement.

In some embodiments, the sending of an advertisement is contingent onreceipt of consent therefore.

In some embodiments, the transmitting of the at least one warningcommunication is contingent on the person's agreement to receive anadvertisement.

In some embodiments, the advertisement is sent through the communicationroute.

In some embodiments, the advertisement is for a service available inproximity of the waiting area.

In some embodiments, the advertisement is for a service available inproximity of a route between the turn-distributing terminal and theservice location.

In some embodiments, the nature of the advertisement is related to awaiting time for the turn, e.g., the advertisement is selected accordingto an estimated waiting time for the turn.

In some embodiments, the nature of the advertisement is related to thenature of the service provided at the service location, e.g., theadvertisement is selected according to the type of service provided atthe service location, for example, for which the person is waiting inthe queue.

In some embodiments, the nature of the advertisement is related to thenature of the person, e.g., the advertisement is selected according toat least one (known or expected) characteristic of the person.

In some embodiments, the nature of the advertisement is related to achoice made by the person, e.g., the advertisement is selected accordingto a choice made by the person.

In some embodiments, the nature of the advertisement is related to thecommunication route accepted from the person, e.g., the advertisement isdifferent if the communication route comprises email communication or amobile telephone number.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention there isalso provided, a queue management device configured to manage a queue,comprising a controller functionally associated with at least oneturn-distributing terminal, together configured to:

-   -   a. assign a turn in a queue to a person requesting such (and in        some embodiments, also providing a turn-ticket designating the        assigned turn to the person); and    -   b. accepting a communication route from the person and storing        the communication route in association with the assigned turn in        the queue;        wherein the queue management device is functionally associated        with a communications component, and    -   c. prior to the turn of the person, transmitting a warning        communication to the person using the communications component.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement kiosk physically located at the waiting area, and the requestby a person comprises the person interacting with a user interface ofthe queue management kiosk, such as by pressing a button on the queuemanagement kiosk or by interacting with a graphic user-interface of thequeue management kiosk.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,and the request by a person comprises the person providing biometricidentification information to the biometric queue management kiosk, suchas by placing a finger on a fingerprint scanner of the biometric queuemanagement kiosk, or by allowing his or her eye to be scanned by an irisscanner of the biometric queue management kiosk.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point, and the request by a person comprises theperson using a wireless communication device, such as a suitablyequipped mobile telephone, laptop computer, or tablet computer, whilephysically located in the waiting area to connect to the queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point. In some such embodiments, the queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point comprises a dedicated Wi-Fi access point.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Bluetooth® transceiver, and the request by a person comprisesthe person using a wireless communication device, such as a suitablyequipped mobile telephone, laptop computer, or tablet computer, whilephysically located in the waiting area to connect to the queuemanagement Bluetooth® transceiver. In some such embodiments, the queuemanagement Bluetooth® transceiver comprises a dedicated Bluetooth®transceiver.

In some embodiments a communication component is the Internet, togetherwith a suitable website and associated hardware and software that allowstransmission of communications to a mobile communication device of aperson such as a cellular telephone.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal is configured forpositioning in a waiting area of a service location.

In some embodiments, the device is configured that the accepting of acommunication route is through a turn-distributing terminal. In someembodiments, the communication route is a contact number of a mobilecommunication device. In some embodiments, the communication route is anemail address accessible by a mobile communication device. In someembodiments, the communication route is an instant messaging and/or chatusername accessible by a mobile communication device.

In some embodiments, the device is configured that the providing of aturn-ticket is through a turn-distributing terminal. In someembodiments, the turn-ticket comprises a turn-ticket printed on paper.In some embodiments, the turn-ticket comprises a mobile communicationindicative of the turn information, such as a short text message orelectronic mail message.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a payment-acceptingcomponent, for example the required component (hardware, software andcommunications) to accept payment with cash, credit cards, debit cards,and the like.

In some embodiments, the device is further configured to transmit awarning communication to a stored communication route of a person usingthe communication component.

In some embodiments, the device is further configured to transmit aconfirmation communication to a stored communication route of a personusing the communication component.

In some embodiments, the device is further configured to receive aresponse to a transmitted confirmation communication through aturn-distributing terminal.

In some embodiments, the device is further configured to send anadvertisement to a stored communication route of a person using thecommunication component. In some embodiments, the device furthercomprises a collection of different advertisements, and is configured toselect an advertisement from the collection of different advertisementsbased on a characteristic of the advertisement and to send the selectedadvertisement.

In some embodiments, the device is configured to calculate a queuewaiting time, and the selection of an advertisement from the collectionof different advertisements is based on the queue waiting time.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the invention pertains. In case of conflict, thespecification, including definitions, will control.

As used herein, by communicating with a Wi-Fi access point is meant thata suitably-configured device establishes a Wi-Fi session (e.g., as knownin the art) in order to send and receive communications.

As used herein, by communicating with a Bluetooth® transceiver is meantthat a suitably-configured device joins and participates in a Bluetooth®piconet (e.g., as known in the art) in order to send and receivecommunications.

As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “having” andgrammatical variants thereof are to be taken as specifying the statedfeatures, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the additionof one or more additional features, integers, steps, components orgroups thereof. These terms encompass the terms “consisting of” and“consisting essentially of”.

As used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “at least one”or “one or more” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of methods and/or devices of the invention may involveperforming or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or acombination thereof. Some embodiments of the invention are implementedwith the use of components that comprise hardware, software, firmware orcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, some components aregeneral-purpose components such as general purpose computers. In someembodiments, some components are dedicated or custom components such ascircuits, integrated circuits or software.

For example, in some embodiments, some of an embodiment is implementedas a plurality of software instructions executed by a data processor,for example which is part of a general-purpose or custom computer. Insome embodiments, the data processor or computer comprises volatilememory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatilestorage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, forstoring instructions and/or data. In some embodiments, implementationincludes a network connection. In some embodiments, implementationincludes a user interface, generally comprising one or more of inputdevices (e.g., allowing input of commands and/or parameters) and outputdevices (e.g., allowing reporting parameters of operation and results).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference tothe accompanying figures. The description, together with the figures,makes apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art how someembodiments of the invention may be practiced. The figures are for thepurpose of illustrative discussion and no attempt is made to showstructural details of an embodiment in more detail than is necessary fora fundamental understanding of the invention. For the sake of clarity,some objects depicted in the figures are not to scale.

In the Figures:

FIG. 1A is a schematic depiction of a service location that is apharmacy in a drug store located in a shopping mall;

FIG. 1B is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a queue managementcontroller used in implementing an embodiment of the queue managementmethod described herein;

FIG. 1C is a flow-chart describing an exemplary embodiment of the methodof queue management described herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a service location that is aDepartment of Motor Vehicles in a shopping mall;

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a service location that is a restarea near a cargo container depot;

FIG. 4A is a schematic depiction of a service location that is a medicalclinic located in a shopping mall; and

FIG. 4B is a flow-chart describing an exemplary embodiment of the methodof queue management described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to methods anddevices for queue management, that in some embodiments allow focusedadvertisement.

The principles, uses and implementations of the teachings herein may bebetter understood with reference to the accompanying description andfigures. Upon perusal of the description and figures present herein, oneskilled in the art is able to implement the invention without undueeffort or experimentation. In the figures, like reference numerals referto like parts throughout.

Before explaining at least one embodiment, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not necessarily limited in its application to thedetails of construction and the arrangement of the components and/ormethods set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodimentsor of being practiced or carried out in various ways. The phraseologyand terminology employed herein are for descriptive purpose and shouldnot be regarded as limiting.

As noted above, in some instances when demand for a service is greaterthan the ability to supply the service, persons interested in theservice must wait in a queue. Generally a person joining a queue isassigned a turn in the queue typically designated by a number appearingon a turn-ticket. As other people are served in order of their turn, theperson's place in the queue advances until it is their turn to receivethe service.

Generally, the person waits in a specified reception area where theprogression of the queue is reported. If a person leaves the receptionarea and their turn arrives when they are not present, the turn is lost.As a result, to ensure that that their turn is not lost, a person isforced to waste a significant amount of time in a reception area inorder to follow the progression of the queue.

A person can choose to risk losing the assigned turn and leave thereception area to do something else, planning to come back in time forthe turn. Since the person has no idea how much free time they havebefore it is their turn, such a person often become irritable andnervous at the prospect of losing their turn. As a result, the persondoes not enjoy doing whatever they have chosen to do.

Some embodiments of the invention described herein, overcome oralleviate some of the problems of existing methods of queue management.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention there isprovided, a method for queue management for a service provided at aservice location, comprising:

-   -   a. positioning at least one turn-distributing terminal at a        waiting area;    -   b. upon request by a person for a turn from a turn-distributing        terminal, assigning the person a turn in a queue, and in some        embodiments providing the person with a turn-ticket designating        the turn;

c. offering the person an option of receiving at least one warning ofthe approach of the turn;

-   -   d. subsequent to c, if the person accepts the offer, accepting a        communication route of the person in the waiting area; and    -   e. prior to the turn, transmitting to the person at least one        warning communication.

By service is meant both service and acquisition of a product sold orprovided at a physical service location (as opposed to virtual servicelocations, such as a telephone call center). Typical physical servicelocations include health clinics that provide health related services;pharmacies and drug stores that provide prescription drugs, for exampleby a pharmacist; telecommunication customer centers, repair and servicecenters; post offices; government and government offices (e.g., vehiclelicensing bureaux, social security, immigration and naturalizationoffices); beauty parlours, hair dressing salons, cosmetic salons,massage parlours, manicurists, pedicurists, ticket-purchasing offices(e.g., as found in Times Square (New York, N.Y., USA) or PiccadillyCircus (London, England)) and the like; as well as cargo-containerdepots, depots, refineries, shipping terminals, ports, ocean and seaterminals, airports and air terminals, rail terminals, storehouses andthe like. In some embodiments service locations include specificdepartments in department stores (generally departments where purchaseof the item requires specialist advice, e.g., shoe-fitting departments,tailoring departments, bridal departments) and specific sections insupermarkets (generally sections where receipt of an item is by asupermarket employee, e.g., deli, meat section and cheese section).

According to some embodiments of the method described herein, a personwho is interested in the service provided by a service location mustaccess a turn-distributing terminal while being physically located at awaiting area which, as discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, isrelatively close to the service location.

According to embodiments of the method as described herein, in someembodiments the turn-distributing terminal at which a person requests aturn is positioned at a waiting area. A waiting area is an area inproximity of the service location where it is desired that a personinterested in the service waits for their turn in the queue to arrive.Positioning the turn-distributing terminal at a waiting area is animportant aspect of some embodiments of the method described herein asit contributes to ensuring that the person is physically located at thewaiting area, the importance of which is discussed hereinbelow.

In the art, turn-distributing terminals are often positioned in areception area of a service location. In some embodiments of the methoddescribed herein, a turn-distributing terminal is positioned in areception area of the service location, which is inside or in proximityof a waiting area.

In some embodiments, a turn-distributing terminals is positionedsomewhere in a waiting area that is within a reachable distance ofservice location, that is to say, the turn-distributing terminal islocated at a distance that the person can reach the service location intime upon receipt of warning communication. For example, aturn-distributing terminal for a pharmacy with an expected queue waitingtime of at least five minutes is positioned at the entrance to ashopping mall where the pharmacy is located as a walking person canreach the pharmacy from anywhere in the mall within five minutes. Forexample, a turn-distributing terminal for a cargo container depot withan expected queue waiting time of at least one hour is positioned at arest stop that is located no more than one hour drive from the cargocontainer depot.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement kiosk physically located at the waiting area, and a personwho is interested in the service provided by a service location mustphysically go to the queue management kiosk located at the waiting areain order to request a turn in the queue. In some such embodiments, thequeue management kiosk comprises a biometric queue management kiosk.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point physically located at the waiting area,and a person who is interested in requesting a turn for the serviceprovided by a service location must connect to the queue managementWi-Fi access point. In some such embodiments, due to the rangelimitations of Wi-Fi transmissions, the person is only be able toconnect to the queue management Wi-Fi access point to request a turnwhen the person is in physical proximity to the queue management Wi-Fiaccess point, and therefore physically located at the waiting area.

In some embodiments, the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Bluetooth® transceiver located at the waiting area, and aperson who is interested in requesting a turn for the service providedby a service location must connect to the queue management Bluetooth®transceiver. In some embodiments, due to the range limitations ofBluetooth® transmissions, the person is only able to connect to thequeue management Bluetooth® transceiver to request a turn when theperson is in physical proximity to the queue management Bluetooth®transceiver, and therefore physically located at the waiting area.

In ‘b’, a person requests a turn through a turn-distributing terminalpositioned in a waiting area and the person is assigned a turn in thequeue.

In some embodiments, in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises aqueue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area, theperson requests a turn by interacting with the queue management kiosk,such as by pressing a button (virtual or physical) on the queuemanagement kiosk or by interacting with a graphic user-interface of thequeue management kiosk.

In some embodiments, in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,the person requests a turn by providing biometric identificationinformation to the biometric queue management kiosk, such as by theperson placing a finger on a fingerprint scanner of the biometric queuemanagement kiosk, or by the person allowing his or her eye to be scannedby an iris scanner of the biometric queue management kiosk.

In some embodiments, in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises aqueue management Wi-Fi access point, the person requests a turn byconnecting to the queue management Wi-Fi access point. In some suchembodiments, due to the range limitations of Wi-Fi transmissions, theperson is only be able to connect to the queue management Wi-Fi accesspoint to request a turn when the person is in physical proximity to thequeue management Wi-Fi access point, and therefore physically located inat the waiting area.

In some embodiments, in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises aqueue management Bluetooth® transceiver, the person requests a turn byconnecting to the queue management Bluetooth® transceiver. Due to therange limitations of Bluetooth® transmissions, the person is only beable to connect to the queue management Bluetooth® transceiver torequest a turn when the person is in physical proximity to the queuemanagement Bluetooth® transceiver, and therefore physically located atthe waiting area.

In some embodiments the person is also provided with a turn-ticketdesignating a turn in the usual way. Any suitable turn-ticket, includingturn-tickets known in the art, may be used in implementing the teachingsherein, e.g., a standard turn-ticket such as a physical turn-ticket ofprinted paper or cardboard, a plastic card, an electronic turn-ticket,for example sent to a mobile communication device, for example as a textmessage (e.g., short message service, SMS) or as an electronic mail(e-mail) message. In some embodiments, the turn-ticket is providedsubstantially immediately after the request for the turn. In someembodiments, the turn-ticket is provided subsequent to other events,e.g., ‘c’ or ‘d’.

In ‘c’, a person requesting a turn in the queue is also offered theoption to receive at least one warning communication warning of theapproach of the assigned turn.

For example, in embodiments in which the person physically accesses theturn-distributing terminal, such as embodiments in which theturn-distributing terminal comprises a queue management kiosk or abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,the turn-distributing terminal includes a graphic-user interface such asa touch-screen and the person is allowed to choose whether or not toreceive the at least one warning communication.

For example, in embodiments in which the person requests a turn in thequeue by wireless communication with the turn-distributing terminal froma mobile communication device, such as embodiments in which theturn-distributing terminal comprises a queue management Wi-Fi accesspoint or a queue management Bluetooth® receiver, the turn-distributingterminal sends a communication to the person's mobile communicationdevice asking whether or not the person wishes to receive the at leastone warning communication. In some such embodiments, the sentcommunication is a text message (e.g., short message service, SMS) or anelectronic mail (e-mail) message. In some such embodiments, the personmust confirm his desire to receive the at least one warningcommunication, for example by responding to the communication sent bythe turn-distributing terminal.

In some embodiments, if the person is not interested in receiving atleast one warning communication the person is treated in the usual wayknown in the art. As the queue advances, the following few turns areannounced in a reception area (for example, over a speaker system and/oron a sign board). The person must be located in the reception area tomonitor the advancement of the queue and must pay careful attention tothe announcements so as not to miss the turn. The person can choose toleave the reception area, for example to go shopping or do other things,but then risks losing the turn in the queue.

In ‘d’, if the person accepts the offer to receive the at least onewarning communication, the person supplies a (wireless) communicationroute, for example a contact number of a mobile communication devicesuch as the number of a cellular telephone or an email address orinstant messaging username which are accessible via a mobilecommunication device.

For example, in embodiments in which the person physically accesses theturn-distributing terminal, such as embodiments in which theturn-distributing terminal comprises a queue management kiosk or abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,the turn-distributing terminal includes a graphic-user interface such asa touch-screen and the person enters a cellular telephone number inresponse to a request therefore in the usual way. For example, theturn-distributing terminal includes a magnetic card-reader and theperson “swipes” a magnetic card storing a cellular telephone numberwhich is read from the magnetic card.

In some embodiments, accepting a communication route of the person isindirect, for example is accepted when the identity of the person isdetermined, for example by the person providing biometric identificationinformation, upon payment with a credit card, or upon entry of someidentification code, and the actual number is retrieved from storage,for example a credit card database.

In some embodiments, accepting the communication route of the person isthrough the turn-distributing terminal. For example, in embodiments inwhich the person physically accesses the turn-distributing terminal,such as embodiments in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises aqueue management kiosk or a biometric queue management kiosk physicallylocated at the waiting area, the turn-distributing terminal includes agraphic-user interface such as a touch-screen and the person enters acommunication route (e.g., contact number of a mobile communicationdevice, an email address, or a username of an instant messaging service)in response to a request therefore displayed on the graphic-userinterface in the usual way.

For example, in embodiments in which the person accesses theturn-distributing terminal by wireless communication, such asembodiments in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point or a queue management Bluetooth® receiver,the turn-distributing terminal knows from which wireless communicationdevice it received the request, and registers a method of communicatingwith that wireless communication device as the communication route.

Requiring that the communication route be accepted through theturn-distributing terminal is an important aspect of some embodiments ofthe method described herein as it contributes to ensuring that theperson is located at the waiting area, the importance of which isdiscussed hereinbelow.

The person can then choose to leave the reception area and is thereforegenerally unable to monitor the announcements relating to theadvancement of the queue in the reception area. However, in accordancewith the teachings herein, in ‘e’, prior to arrival of the person'sturn, at least one warning communication of the approach of the assignedturn is transmitted to the person. As a result, the person is free toleave the reception area with the knowledge that they will receive awarning communication and be able to return in time for the turn.

In some embodiments, when possible, a warning communication includestime information, that is to say, a warning communication includes anaccurate or estimated time until the assigned turn arrives.

In some embodiments, a warning communication includes information ofwhat turn is currently being served, e.g., includes the actual turnserved or includes the number of turns preceding the turn of the person.In some such embodiments, the warning communication also includes anaverage turn duration (for example, based on past/historical turndurations), or a predicted waiting time.

In some embodiments, a single warning communication is transmitted tothe person. In some embodiments, more than one warning communication istransmitted to the person. In some embodiments, the person is allowed toselect the number of warning communications to be transmitted. Forexample, in embodiments in which the person physically accesses theturn-distributing terminal, such as embodiments in which theturn-distributing terminal comprises a queue management kiosk or abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,the turn-distributing terminal includes a graphic-user interface such asa touch-screen and the person enters a desired number of warningcommunications in response to a request therefore in the usual way.

For example, in embodiments in which the person accesses theturn-distributing terminal by wireless communication, such asembodiments in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point or a queue management Bluetooth® receiver,the number of warnings may be provided to the turn-distributing terminalby a second wireless communication, indicating the number of warnings,sent from the person's wireless communication device to theturn-distributing terminal.

In some embodiments, a person is required to pay for the warningcommunication, that is to say, transmitting the at least one warningcommunication is contingent on agreement to pay for at least one warningcommunication. For example, in embodiments in which the personphysically accesses the turn-distributing terminal, such as embodimentsin which the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queue managementkiosk or a biometric queue management kiosk physically located at thewaiting area, the turn-distributing terminal includes a graphic-userinterface such as a touch-screen and the person enters a payment method(e.g., enters a credit card number, “swipes” a credit card or debitcard, swipes an “electronic wallet” (e.g., using RFID or NFCtechnology), pays with cash, pays using a mobile communication device(e.g., using a cellular telephone, for example by sending a text message(SMS) or adding the payment sum to a cellular telephone bill), paysusing another payment mode) in response to a request therefore displayedon the graphic-user interface in the usual way.

For example, in embodiments in which the person accesses theturn-distributing terminal by wireless communication, such asembodiments in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point or a queue management Bluetooth® receiver,the payment method may be provided to the turn-distributing terminal bya second wireless communication, indicating credit card information orelectronic wallet information, sent from the person's wirelesscommunication device to the turn-distributing terminal. Alternately, theperson may pay using the mobile communication device used to communicatewith the turn-distributing terminal (e.g., using a cellular telephone,for example by sending a text message (SMS) or adding the payment sum toa cellular telephone bill).

In such embodiments, a person “buys their freedom” by opting to pay fora warning communication. Additionally, the person who has paid does nottake a turn in the queue lightly, but rather becomes dedicated toactually waiting for their turn and will be less likely to give up onthe service and leave. In such a way, in some embodiments the operatorof a queue management method as described herein is able to recoup atleast some of the costs associated with implementing the method and insome embodiments even makes a profit.

In some embodiments, the transmitting of the at least one warningcommunication is contingent on receipt of a valid response to aconfirmation communication transmitted through the communication route.For example, a communication route is accepted from a person interestedin receiving at least one warning communication, and a confirmationcommunication is subsequently sent to the communication route, forexample, the communication route is a contact number of a mobilecommunication device and the confirmation communication is a message(e.g., text message, image message, audible message) sent to the mobilecommunication device. If the communication route is valid, the personreceives the confirmation communication and validly responds to theconfirmation communication. A valid response is a response that includesthe correct content as required from the person. In some embodiments avalid response to a confirmation communication is response sent within alimited time of transmission of the confirmation communication (in someembodiments within less than about 10 seconds or within less than about5 seconds).

If a valid response is received to the confirmation communication, it isunderstood that the person is interested in receiving the at least onewarning communication.

In some embodiments, if no response or no valid response is received tothe confirmation communication, it is understood that the person is notinterested in receiving the at least one warning communication or theaccepted communication route is incorrect. In some embodiments, thedialogue with the person ends. In some embodiments, a new confirmationcommunication is sent giving the person an additional chance to providea valid response.

In some embodiments, transmitting of the at least one warningcommunication is contingent on receipt of a reply to the confirmationcommunication through the turn-distributing terminal.

For example, in embodiments in which the person physically accesses theturn-distributing terminal, such as embodiments in which theturn-distributing terminal comprises a queue management kiosk or abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,the turn-distributing terminal includes a graphic-user interface such asa touch-screen and the person enters their cellular telephone number inresponse to a request for a communication route. A confirmationcommunication is transmitted to the cellular telephone, for example afive digit number is transmitted as a text message.

The person then uses the touch-screen of the turn-distributing terminalto enter the five-digit number as reply to the confirmationcommunication. The reply is received. If the five-digit number enteredand received through the turn-distributing terminal is the same as thefive-digit number sent in the confirmation communication, the responseis a valid response and it is understood that the person is interestedin receiving the at least one warning communication. If the five-digitnumber entered and received through the turn-distributing terminal isnot the same as the five-digit number sent in the confirmationcommunication, the response is not considered a valid response and it isunderstood that the person is not interested in receiving the at leastone warning communication or the accepted communication route isincorrect. In some embodiments, the dialogue with the person ends. Insome embodiments, a new confirmation communication is sent giving theperson an additional chance to provide a valid response.

Requiring that a response to a confirmation communication be acceptedthrough the turn-distributing terminal is an important aspect of someembodiments of the method described herein as it contributes to ensuringthat the person is located at the waiting area, the importance of whichis discussed hereinbelow.

After it is confirmed that the person is interested in receiving atleast one warning communication, a communication route is accepted and(if required) an agreement to pay for receiving the warningcommunications is received, the person is free to wait in the receptionarea or to go about doing other activities, for example in the waitingarea. In ‘e’, prior to when the assigned turn arrives and the person mayreceive the service provided at the service location, the personreceives one or more warning communications so that the person is ableto monitor the progress of the queue and to estimate when their turn atthe queue arrives, despite not being physically present in the receptionarea. The person is therefore much calmer and can enjoy themselvesand/or make more efficient use of otherwise wasted time. By payingattention to the at least one warning communications, the person canarrive at the reception area just prior to their turn.

In some embodiments, at least one warning communication is transmittedto the communication route. For example, a person provides theircellular telephone number as a communication route and one or more ofthe warning communications is transmitted to the person through thecellular telephone.

In addition to improving the quality of service given to a person who isin the queue, in some embodiments the method of queue managementdescribed herein provides advantages to the provider of the service atthe service location. For example, with the same number of people in thequeue, there are fewer people waiting in a reception area. It is thuspossible to reduce the physical size of the reception area, savingexpenses or allowing more service personnel to be employed. In someembodiments, the number of persons who take a turn in the queue but donot stay to receive service because of the duration of the wait isreduced because the queue waiting time is not wasted but can be used forother things.

A person who has agreed to receive at least one warning communication isa person whose communication route is known and who has a certain (knownor estimable) amount of free time. Additionally, the person's physicallocation can be presumed to be in proximity of the waiting area becausethe person will want to be able to arrive in time for their turn, and insome embodiments because the turn-distributing terminal is located at awaiting area and the communication route is accepted through theturn-distributing terminal and/or a response to a confirmationcommunication is accepted through the turn-distributing terminal and/orthe person agreed to pay for a warning communication.

In some embodiments, this information is used to send advertisements tothe person, that is to say in some embodiments subsequent to acceptingthe communication route, at least one advertisement is sent to theperson. As an advertiser can be required to pay for an advertisementsent in accordance with the teachings herein, in some embodiments,sending an advertisement allows some of the costs of implementing themethod to be recouped and even allow a profit to be made, whileproviding a person with useful advertisements and providing advertiserswith an effective advertisement channel

In some embodiments, a person is required to accept advertisements forthe warning communication, that is to say, transmitting the at least onewarning communication is contingent on agreement to receive anadvertisement. In such embodiments, a person “buys their freedom” byopting to receive advertisements in exchange for a warningcommunication. In such a way, in some embodiments the operator of aqueue management method as described herein is able to recoup at leastsome of the costs associated with implementing the method and in someembodiments even makes a profit.

Any suitable advertisement is sent. In some embodiments, a sentadvertisement is informative, that is to say, informs or reminds theperson of the existence of an available product or service. In someembodiments, a sent advertisement includes a sale, that is to sayincludes an offer to purchase a product or services at alower-than-usual price. In some embodiments such a sale is valid for alimited time, for example valid for the day of sending of theadvertisements. In some such embodiments, a person “buys their freedom”and in exchange also receives the opportunity to take advantage of asale, that in some embodiments may otherwise be unavailable.

In some embodiments, at least one advertisement is provided to theperson through the turn-distributing terminal, for example as printed aticket or coupon. In some embodiments, at least one advertisement issent through the communication route, for example, sent by message(text, audible, graphic) to a person's cellular telephone or emailaddress, assisting in ensuring that the person who receives theadvertisement is the person who is assigned a turn in the queue.

In some embodiments, sending an advertisement to the person iscontingent on receiving the person's consent. For example, inembodiments in which the person physically accesses theturn-distributing terminal, such as embodiments in which theturn-distributing terminal comprises a queue management kiosk or abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,the turn-distributing terminal includes a graphic-user interface such asa touch-screen and after it is confirmed that the person is interestedin receiving warning communications, the person agrees to receipt ofadvertisement upon being asked if this is acceptable.

For example, in embodiments in which the person accesses theturn-distributing terminal by wireless communication, such asembodiments in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point or a queue management Bluetooth® receiver,the consent to receive advertisements may be provided to theturn-distributing terminal by an additional wireless communication sentfrom the person's wireless communication device to the turn-distributingterminal.

Some embodiments of the method described herein allow focusedadvertising. As noted above, the amount of time and the location of theperson in the waiting area are known. Advertisers are therefore able torationally decide what services are attractive to the person, and offerthese to the person in a selected advertisement.

In some embodiments, an advertisement selected to be sent is for aservice available in proximity of the waiting area. For example, a placeof business (e.g., a restaurant, a shop) in a shopping mall where apharmacy implementing queue management as described hereinadvantageously advertises to a person who is most likely in the shoppingmall while waiting for their turn in the queue. For example, a shoppingmall restaurant offers a 10% reduction of the price of coffee to aperson who has an expected waiting time of about 1 hour in a queue for apharmacist. For example, a hotel in a waiting area 10 km from a cargocontainer depot offers a 10% reduction of the price of a room to a truckdriver who has an expected waiting time of about 8 hours in a queue fora cargo-container depot.

In some embodiments, an advertisement selected to be sent is for aservice available in proximity of a route between the turn-distributingterminal and the service location. For example, a restaurant located onthe route between a waiting area including a turn-distributing terminaland a cargo-container depot offers a 10% reduction on the price of ameal to a truck driver who has an expected waiting time of about 2 hoursin a queue for a cargo container depot.

In some embodiments, the nature of an advertisement selected to be sentis related to a waiting time for the turn, e.g., the advertisement isselected according to an estimated or expected waiting time. Forexample, if the waiting time is estimated to be 3 hours, anadvertisement to see a film that starts within 20 minutes in a cinema issent. For example, if the waiting time is estimated to be 2 hours, anadvertisement to eat a meal is sent. For example, if the waiting time isestimated to be 30 minutes, an advertisement to drink a cup of coffee issent.

In some embodiments, the nature of an advertisement selected to be sentis related to the nature of the service provided at the servicelocation, e.g., the advertisement is selected according to the type ofservice provided at the service location, for example, for which theperson is waiting in the queue. For example, if the queue is for serviceof a governmental office that caters to senior citizens, anadvertisement for mobility aids is sent.

In some embodiments, the nature of an advertisement selected to be sentis related to the nature of the person, e.g., the advertisement isselected according to at least one (known or expected) characteristic ofthe person, such as, for example, age, gender, profession, purchasehistory, and the like. For example, stored information about the personis recovered with the help of a payment method or the communicationroute (e.g., from a database of a credit card company, of a store “clubcard”, of a mobile telephony company or of a government office), andused to select an appropriate advertisement to be sent. For example, acredit card company records that a person purchases children's clothes.When the person uses the credit card to pay for a warning communication,an advertisement for purchasing children's books is sent.

In some embodiments, the nature of an advertisement selected to be sentis related to a choice made by the person, e.g., the advertisement isselected according to a choice made by the person. For example, inembodiments in which the person physically accesses theturn-distributing terminal, such as embodiments in which theturn-distributing terminal comprises a queue management kiosk or abiometric queue management kiosk physically located at the waiting area,the turn-distributing terminal includes a graphic-user interface such asa touch-screen and the person is provided with a list of the types ofadvertisements that are available (e.g., “food and drink”,“entertainment” and “other”). The person uses the touch-screen to selectthe type or category of advertisements they are interested in receiving.

For example, in embodiments in which the person accesses theturn-distributing terminal by wireless communication, such asembodiments in which the turn-distributing terminal comprises a queuemanagement Wi-Fi access point or a queue management Bluetooth® receiver,the person's choice of advertisements may be provided to theturn-distributing terminal by an additional wireless communication sentfrom the person's wireless communication device to the turn-distributingterminal. The additional wireless communication includes a type ofadvertisements the person wishes to receive, the type of advertisementstypically being selected from a list of available types ofadvertisements (e.g., “food and drink”, “entertainment” and “other”).

In some embodiments, the manner of selecting a specific advertisement tobe sent is dynamic, that is to say, the at least one advertisement sentfrom amongst a collection of advertisements is changed during a day.

In some embodiments, a change in the manner of selecting a specificadvertisement to send is initiated by an advertiser, for example inresponse to a change in conditions at the advertiser's location. Forexample, the advertiser's location is too busy so an advertisement isremoved, e.g., a coffee shop has too many customers at a specific time,so advertisements advertising the coffee shop are no longer sent, aremade less attractive or a sale is offered for an earlier or later time.For example, as the end of a day approaches an advertising restaurantbecomes aware that there is an excess of a certain dish available so anadvertisement offering the certain dish for sale at a bargain price issent. For example, an advertisement including a sale is too attractiveand attracts too many customers, so the advertisement is changed so thatthe sale is less attractive.

In some embodiments, a change in advertisement is initiated by theoperator of the queue management system as described herein, for examplein response to a change in conditions at the service location. Forexample, in some embodiments when an unexpectedly high number of personshave joined the queue, or the queue is advancing at an unusually slowrate, the operator of the queue management system contacts an advertiserto offer the chance of sending additional or special advertisements.

In some embodiments, such changes in the manner of selectingadvertisements are performed automatically. In some embodiments, suchchanges are performed semi-automatically or manually, for example, by aperson working for the advertiser and/or a person working for theoperator of the queue management system such as an administrator.

An embodiment of the method of queue management disclosed herein isdescribed with reference to FIG. 1A schematically depicting a waitingarea, FIG. 1B schematically depicting a queue-management controller andFIG. 1C a flow-chart schematically depicting the queue management.

In FIG. 1A, a pharmacy counter 10 (the service location) in a drug store12 is located in a shopping mall 14 (the waiting area). In a receptionarea 16 of pharmacy counter 10 is positioned a turn-distributingterminal 18. In some embodiments, turn-distributing terminal 18comprises a kiosk including a touch-screen and a thermal turn-ticketprinter. In other embodiments, turn-distributing terminal 18 comprises aWi-Fi access point. Turn-distributing terminal 18 is functionallyassociated (e.g., through WiFi wireless communication) with a queuemanagement controller 20 (comprising a computer connected to theInternet configured as a queue management controller with appropriatehardware and/or software). Also functionally associated with queuemanagement controller 20 are counter terminal 22, display board 24 (anLED display that is visible only to people in reception area 16) andcommunication line 25 (e.g., an Internet text or voice messaging servicesuch as a “chat” service) to an advertiser 27, a place of businesslocated in shopping mall 14.

Queue management controller 20 (see FIG. 1B) comprises a computer (e.g.,as known in the art of queue management) and includes a number ofsoftware data structures: a current turn served 202 (a variable recordstoring an integer designating the current turn in the queue beingserved), last turn assigned 204 (a variable record storing an integerdesignating the last assigned turn in the queue), a database 206 ofpersons assigned numbers who want to receive warning communications,where each record of the database includes a turn in the queue assignedto the person 206 a, a communication route to the person 206 b, such asa cellular telephone number of the person or an email address of theperson, and a list of warning times 206 c. Controller 20 also includes acollection of different advertisements in a database 208 where eachrecord includes text of the advertisement 208 a, a time window 208 b (aminimum and/or maximum queue waiting time for which it is desired tosend the advertisement) and an advertisement type 208 c (“food anddrink”, “entertainment” and “other”).

In the usual way of queue management, controller 20 displays the valueof current turn served 202 on display board 24. Periodically, a workerat pharmacy counter 10 uses counter terminal 22 to indicate tocontroller 20 that a client has been helped and the next client mayapproach pharmacy counter 10. Controller 20 increments the value ofcurrent turn served 202. Controller 20 displays a “welcome” screen onturn-distributing terminal 18, 100 in FIG. 1C.

A person needing a service from pharmacy counter 10 arrives at receptionarea 16 and requests a turn from turn-distributing terminal 18. In someembodiments, in which turn-distributing terminal 18 comprises a touchscreen, the person requests the turn by using the touch screen ofturn-distributing terminal 18. In some embodiments, in whichturn-distributing terminal 18 comprises a Wi-Fi access point, the personrequests the turn by using a mobile communication device to communicatewith the Wi-Fi access point of turn-distributing terminal 18. Controller20 receives the request for a turn in the queue from turn-distributingterminal 18, 102 in FIG. 1C.

Upon receiving the request, controller 20 increments last turn assigned204 and sends the value of last turn assigned 204 to turn-distributingterminal 18, thereby assigning the person a turn in the queue.Subsequently, turn-distributing terminal 18 provides the person with aturn-ticket indicating the person's number in the queue, 104 in FIG. 1C.

In some embodiments, in which turn-distributing terminal 18 comprises athermal turn-ticket printer, turn-distributing terminal 18 provides theperson with a paper turn-ticket on which is printed the value of lastturn assigned 204 received from controller 20. In some embodiments, inwhich turn-distributing terminal 18 comprises a Wi-Fi access point,turn-distributing terminal 18 sends a wireless communication (e.g. textmessage, SMS, email message, instant messaging service message),including the value of last turn assigned 204 received from controller20, to the mobile communication device used to communicate with theWi-Fi access point of turn-distributing terminal 18.

Using turn-distributing terminal 18, controller 20 queries the person“do you want a warning communication for $1?”, 106 in FIG. 1C. In someembodiments, in which turn-distributing terminal 18 comprises a displayand a touch screen, the query is presented to the person on the display.In some embodiments, in which turn-distributing terminal 18 comprises aWi-Fi access point, the query is presented to the person in a wirelesscommunication (e.g. text message, SMS, email message, instant messagingservice message) sent from the Wi-Fi access point to the person's mobilecommunication device.

The person compares the assigned turn and current turn served 202displayed on display board 24 to decide if it is worth the price toreceive a warning communication. If the person does not respond within10 seconds or responds negatively by touching the appropriate button onthe touch-screen of turn-distributing terminal 18 or by sending a mobilecommunication indicative of his negative response to turn-distributingterminal 18, controller 20 returns turn-distributing terminal 18 to the“welcome” screen 100 in FIG. 1C.

In embodiments in which turn-distributing terminal comprises a touchscreen, if the person accepts the offer to receive a warningcommunication using the touch-screen of turn-distributing terminal 18,controller 20 displays a request for a communication route usingturn-distributing terminal 18 “please enter your cellular telephonenumber”, 108 in FIG. 1C.

If the person enters a cellular telephone number in the touch-screen ofturn-distributing terminal 18 from which controller 20 accepts thecellular telephone number as a communication route, 110 in FIG. 1C.

Alternately, for example in embodiments in which turn-distributingterminal comprises a Wi-Fi access point, if the person accepts the offerto receive a warning communication by sending a mobile communicationindicating an affirmative response to the turn-distributing terminal 18,the turn-distributing terminal 18 identifies the mobile device fromwhich the person sent the mobile communication, such as a cellulartelephone, tablet computer, or laptop computer, and records thecommunication route of the mobile device as the communication route tothe person.

Controller 20 sends a text message (e.g., SMS), or other suitablemessage based on the communication route defined for the person,including a five-digit number through the Internet (as known in the art)as a confirmation communication to the cellular telephone number orother communication route, 112 in FIG. 1C.

In some embodiments, in which turn-distributing terminal 18 comprises atouch screen, controller 20 uses the touch-screen of turn-distributingterminal 18 to display a request for a response to the confirmationcommunication using turn-distributing terminal 18 “please enter thefive-digit number you have just received on your cellular telephone”,114 in FIG. 1C.

In such embodiments, the person enters the received five-digit numberusing turn-distributing terminal 18. Controller 20 receives the enteredfive-digit number. Receipt of the five-digit number sent in theconfirmation communication entered using the touch-screen ofturn-distributing terminal 18 is considered receipt of a valid responseto the confirmation communication. Controller 20 displays a query “howmany warning communications would you like?”, 116 in FIG. 1C.

In response, the person enters the desired number of warningcommunication using the touch-screen of turn-distributing terminal 18,and the number is accepted by controller 20. Controller 20 displays aquery using the touch-screen of terminal 18 “would you like to hear ourspecial offers?” and is given a choice of four responses: “No”,“Yes-food and drink”, “Yes-entertainment” and “Yes-other”, 118 in FIG.1C.

The person makes a selection of one or more of the four responses on thetouch screen of terminal 18, in the usual way.

If the response is “No”, controller 20 displays a request for paymentusing the touch-screen of turn-distributing terminal 18 “please swipeyour card to pay for your warning communications”, 120 a in FIG. 1C. Theperson pays (using any suitable method, for example sending an SMS orpaying with a credit card, a debit card, cash, or an “electronic wallet”through a suitably configured turn-distributing terminal 18) andreceives a payment receipt from the printer of turn-distributingterminal 18, 122 in FIG. 1C.

If the person responds by choosing to receive an advertisement,controller 20 displays a request on terminal 18 “please swipe your cardto pay for your warning communications, our offers will be sent to youshortly”, 120 b in FIG. 1C. The person pays in the usual way (asdescribed above) and receives a payment receipt from the printer ofturn-distributing terminal 18, 122 in FIG. 1C.

Alternately, in embodiments in which turn-distributing terminal 18comprises a Wi-Fi access point, the confirmation message including thefive-digit number additionally includes instructions for the person howto respond. For example, the message instructs the person to send to theturn-distributing terminal 18 a mobile communication including the sumof the five digits included in the confirmation message, in order toprovide the necessary confirmation of receipt.

In such embodiments, the person sends the mobile communication includingthe sum of the digits included in the confirmation message toturn-distributing terminal 18. Controller 20 receives the sum numberfrom turn-distributing terminal 18. Receipt of the sum of the digits inthe five digit number sent in the confirmation communication via amobile communication sent to turn-distributing terminal 18 is consideredreceipt of a valid response to the confirmation communication.Controller 20 then uses turn-distributing terminal 18 to send a mobilecommunication including a query “how many warning communications wouldyou like?” to the person's mobile device.

In response, the person sends a mobile communication indicating thedesired number of warning communications to turn-distributing terminal18, and the number is accepted by controller 20. Controller 20 usesturn-distributing terminal 18 to send a mobile communication including aquery “would you like to hear our special offers?” to the person'smobile device. The mobile communication may also provide the person witha list of four legitimate responses: “No”, “Yes-food and drink”,“Yes-entertainment” and “Yes-other”.

The person sends a mobile communication indicating the selection of oneor more of the four responses to turn-distributing terminal 18.

If the response is “No”, controller 20 uses turn-distributing terminal18 to send a mobile communication including a request for payment suchas “please provide a method of payment for your warning communications”,120 a in FIG. 1C. The person pays (using any suitable method, forexample sending an electronic communication including paymentinformation, or paying with a credit card, a debit card, cash, or an“electronic wallet” through a suitably configured turn-distributingterminal 18, or by indicating that the charge should be added to theperson's next cellular-telephone bill) and receives a payment receiptfrom the printer of turn-distributing terminal 18 or as a mobilecommunication sent from turn-distributing terminal 18, 122 in FIG. 1C.

If the person responds by choosing to receive an advertisement,controller 20 uses turn-distributing terminal 18 to send a mobilecommunication including a request for payment such as “please provide amethod of payment for your warning communications, our offers will besent to you shortly”, 120 b in FIG. 1C. The person pays in the usual way(as described above) and receives a payment receipt from the printer ofturn-distributing terminal 18 or as a mobile communication sent fromturn-distributing terminal 18, 122 in FIG. 1C.

Controller 20 adds a new record to database 206 of persons who wantwarning communications and stores the turn assigned to the person in 206a, the accepted cellular telephone number or other communication routein 206 b and the requested number of warning times in 206 c.

The specific values of the warning times stored in 206 c are calculatedin any suitable way, 124 in FIG. 1C. For example, in some embodiments,the latest warning time in 206 c is always set to be when the person hastwo more turns to wait, and additional warnings are spaced substantiallyequally with any remainder delaying the first warning communication.

For example, if an assigned turn is 100, the current turn served is 53and the person requests 5 warning communications, the list of warningtimes stored in 206 c consists of 98, 89, 80, 71 and 62 so that theperson receives a warning communication every 9 turns, that is to say, awarning communication will be transmitted to the cellular telephonenumber stored in 206 a when current turn served 202 has a value of 62,71, 80, 89 and 98.

For example, if the assigned turn is 100, the current turn served is 53and the person requests 4 warning communications, the list of warningtimes stored in 206 c consists of 98, 84, 70 and 56 so that the personreceives a warning communication every 14 turns, except the firstwarning communication which is after 17 turns, that is to say, a warningcommunication will be transmitted to the cellular telephone numberstored in 206 a when current turn served 202 has a value of 56, 70, 84and 98.

If the person agreed to receive advertisements (118 in FIG. 1C),controller 20 calculates the person's queue waiting time, 126 b in FIG.1C (for example, as known in the art, e.g., number of turns to wait(difference between assigned turn 204 and current turn served 202)multiplied by the average turn duration) and selects suitableadvertisements from the collection of advertisements 208, 128 b in FIG.1C. As noted above, collection of advertisements 208 includes texts ofadvertisements 208 a of service providers and places of business locatedin shopping mall 14 (e.g., advertiser 27), a time window 208 b (aminimum and/or maximum queue waiting time for which it is desired tosend the advertisement) and advertisement type 208 c. Suitableadvertisements selected are advertisements that are of a type 208 c(“food and drink”, “entertainment” and “other”) selected by the personthat have a time window 208 b that matches the person's queue waitingtime.

Controller 20 sends each advertisement as an individual text message(e.g., SMS) or other message suitable for the communication routeprovided by the person, such as an email message or instant messagingmessage, through the Internet (as known in the art) to the cellulartelephone number or other communication route stored in 206 a, 130 b inFIG. 1C.

For example, if the queue waiting time is between 15 and 60 minutes andthe person selected “food and drink”, an advertisement is sent “10% offon Joe's coffee” or “Get a free pie with each Jolly Meal at Clowny'sBurgers”. For example, if the queue waiting time is between 45 and 120minutes and the person selected “food and drink”, an advertisement issent “free coffee if you order a steak at Dead Cow Crossing”. Forexample, if the queue waiting time is between 30 minutes and 2 hours andthe person selected “entertainment”, an advertisement is sent “20 freetokens at Arkady's arcade”. For example, if the queue waiting time isbetween 30 minutes and 10 hours and the person selected “other”, anadvertisement is sent “discounts on selected wallets at Wally's WalletEmporium”. For example, if the queue waiting time is between 60 minutesand 2 hours and the person selected “other”, an advertisement is sent“get a pedicure at Paddy's”.

Upon receiving the payment receipt (122 in FIG. 1C), the person is freeto spend their queue waiting time with reduced tension, includingwaiting in reception area 16, in drug store 12, shopping mall 14 or evenoutside of shopping mall 14. If chosen, the person may review the sentadvertisements and be influenced to spend time and/or money in aparticular way by the advertisements.

As noted above, periodically a worker uses counter terminal 22 toindicate to controller 20 that a client has been helped and that a nextclient may approach pharmacy counter 10. Controller 20 increments thevalue of current turn served 202. Each time the value of current turnserved 202 is incremented, controller 20 transmits a warningcommunication to the cellular telephone number or other communicationroute 206 b of all persons in list of persons who accepted the offer toreceive a warning communications and which have a warning time 206 ccorresponding to current turn served 202, as an individual text message(e.g., SMS), email message, or instant message, through the Internet (asknown in the art), based on the communication route used by the person,132 in FIG. 1C. For example, controller 20 transmits a warningcommunication “Turn 70 is being served. Your turn is 100. Since theaverage turn is 3 minutes, we expect your turn to be in about 90minutes” or “Turn 84 is being served. Your turn is 100. Since theaverage turn is 2 minutes, we expect your turn to be in about 32minutes”.

The person monitors the transmitted warning messages, and when desiredarrives at reception area 16 to receive service at pharmacy counter 10.

Throughout the day, advertiser 27 may identify a change in condition andcommunicates an instruction to change one or more advertisements tocontroller 20 through communication line 25. Automatically, controller20 changes one or more advertisements in database 208 in accordance withthe communicated instructions. For example, advertiser 27 (a café) seesthat there are few tables available so communicates instructions todelete an advertisement for a reduced price lunch and add a newadvertisement for take-away sandwiches.

Throughout the day, controller 20 may identify a change in conditions atpharmacy counter 10 (the service location) and communicates withadvertiser 27 through communication line 25, offering the choice ofsending a special advertisement. Advertiser considers the offer, andoptionally communicates an instruction to change one or moreadvertisements to controller 20 through communication line 25,substantially as described above. For example, controller 20 identifiesthat the queue is longer than usual (e.g., compared to an average queueat the current time of day) so that there are more people than usualwaiting for a longer time. Controller 20 uses communication line 25 toinform advertiser 27 of this fact. Advertiser 27 receives thecommunication and decides to send a new advertisement accounting for thelarge number of persons and/or the exceptionally long wait.

An additional embodiment of the method of queue management disclosedherein is described with reference to FIG. 2 schematically depicting awaiting area. In FIG. 2, an office of a Department of Motor Vehicles(DMV) 26 (the service location) is located in a shopping mall 14 (thewaiting area) with three entrances 28. At each entrance 28 a, 28 b and28 c is positioned a turn-distributing terminal 18 a, 18 b and 18 c,each turn-distributing terminal functionally associated with controller20.

Queue management in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2 issubstantially similar to that of the embodiment described with referenceto FIG. 1 with a few substantial differences.

A first notable substantial difference is that turn-distributingterminals 18 a, 18 b and 18 c are not positioned in a reception area 16,although still in proximity of the waiting area, shopping mall 14. Aperson interested in a turn for DMV 26 may request a turn at any one ofturn-distributing terminals 18 a, 18 b and 18 c and does not need towaste time going to DMV 26 itself.

A second notable substantial difference is that transmission of awarning communication is not contingent on agreement to pay for awarning communication. Instead, transmission of a warning communicationis contingent on agreement to accept advertisements. A person choosingnot to receive advertisements must wait in reception area 16 of DMV 26to monitor the progress of the queue in the usual way. However, if aperson agrees to receive advertisements and a valid reply to aconfirmation communication is received, warning communications aretransmitted to the person, substantially as described above.

During the process of offering a person the option of receiving at leastone warning communication, controller 20 additionally uses aturn-distributing terminal 18 a, 18 b or 18 c to enquire what servicethe person wants at DMV 26. In some embodiments, different requestedservices are managed in two or more different queues, each individuallymanaged substantially as described above. For example, one queue is forpersons interested in renewing their annual car license, a second queueis for persons interested in renewing their driving license because theyare older than 70 and a third queue is for persons interested inreceiving their first driving license.

In the embodiment discussed with reference to FIG. 1, the nature of anadvertisement sent is related to the waiting time and a choice made bythe person.

In the embodiment discussed with reference to FIG. 2, the nature of anadvertisement sent is additionally related to the category or type ofthe service for which the person is waiting in the queue. For example,if a person indicates that they are interested in renewing their annualcar license, an advertisement is sent “Free coffee at Joe's Car RepairCenter” or “Buy oil additive to reduce engine emissions at Hucksters”.

In the embodiment discussed with reference to FIG. 2, the nature of anadvertisement sent is also related to the nature of the person, forexample, at least one (known or assumed) characteristic of the person.For example, if a person indicates that they are interested in renewinga driver's license because they are older than 70, an advertisementtargeted at older consumers is sent, for example “Come and hear aboutour Cruise Packages”. For example, if a person indicates that they areinterested in receiving a first driver's license they are assumed to beyoung and an advertisement targeted at younger consumers is sent, forexample “20% off on Fallout Sunglasses at Jimmy's”.

In some of the embodiments described above, a person who has agreed toreceive at least one warning communication waits in the same queue as aperson who has not agreed to receive a warning communication. In someembodiments, there is at least one dedicated queue for people who haveagreed to receive at least one warning communication.

For example, it is known that in some service-providing instances,especially commercial instances such as supermarkets and departmentstores, there are more than one substantially identical check-outcounters which constitute the service locations of the service-providinginstance. A person desiring to make a purchase chooses one of thecheck-out counters and physically waits in the queue of that check-outcounter.

Some embodiments of the method described herein are implemented in suchinstances. In some such embodiments, there is at least one dedicatedqueue for a specific service location (e.g., check-out counter) forpeople who have agree to receive at least one warning communication.

For example, in a supermarket, there is at least one turn-distributingterminal located in a waiting area (the supermarket itself).

A person realizing that they are nearing the end of their purchasesapproaches a turn-distributing terminal as described above, requests andreceives a turn in a dedicated queue in exchange for agreeing to receiveat least one warning communication. In some such embodiments, it ispreferred that the request is performed with the help of a credit cardor a “club card” (e.g., by swiping) that allows automatic accepting of acommunication route of the person (e.g., from a database) and in someembodiments gives access to the person's purchasing history or otherperson-specific information. As discussed above, in some embodiments theperson is provided with a turn-ticket.

In some embodiments, a turn-distributing terminal is positioned close tothe check-out counter. In some embodiments, a turn-distributing terminalis positioned close to a specified rest area, for example, a “specialoffer” section, a magazine store, a café or bakery associated with thewaiting area (the supermarket). In some embodiments, more than oneturn-distributing terminals are distributed in various locations of thewaiting area (the supermarket) so a person can more easily request aturn in the queue at any time.

In some such embodiments, requesting a turn is free. In someembodiments, requesting a turn requires payment of a fee, in someembodiments, a nominal fee, e.g., not more than 1% of the purchase.

Once the person has requested, and received, a turn in the queue, theperson is ostensibly free and does not need to physically wait in thequeue. The person is free to wander around the waiting area (thesupermarket), purchase refreshment or rest. As described above, theperson receives at least one warning communication of their approachingturn at the checkout counter, in some embodiments when the person is thenext in line. When a warning communication is received, the person canphysically approach the check-out counter to actually physically wait inqueue for only a short time.

From the time the person requests a warning communication to the time atthe turn at the checkout counter, it is known that that specific personis located in the waiting area (the supermarket) with a shopping cart ofpurchases, and therefore not practically able to leave.

In some embodiments, no further advertising activity is undertaken andthe person enjoys their rest, possibly making an additional impulsivepurchase in the supermarket.

In some embodiments where there is a specified rest area, no furtheradvertising activity is undertaken but the person may make an additionalimpulsive purchase in the rest area, e.g., coffee, a cake, a magazine.

In some embodiments, advantage is taken of the knowledge that a specificperson (with known purchasing habits and/or interests and/ordemographics) is known to be in the waiting area (the supermarket). Insome embodiments, advertisements are sent as described above, forexample through the communication route, for example based oninformation about the person, for example stored information acquiredfrom the credit card or “club card”. Such advertisements are typicallyfor products found in the supermarket.

An additional embodiment of the method of queue management disclosedherein is described with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, acargo-container depot 30 (the service location) is located 10 km northof a first rest stop 32 and 10 km south of a second rest stop 34, inboth cases less than 30 minutes drive from cargo-container depot 30.First rest stop 32 includes a truck parking lot 36, a commercial area 38including hotels, massage parlours and restaurants) and aturn-distributing terminal 18. Second rest stop 34 is substantiallyidentical to first rest area 32 and is therefore not discussed furtherherein.

A truck driver is sent to cargo-container depot 30 to pick-up or returnan empty cargo container. The truck-driver knows that the wait in thequeue at depot 30 can be anything from 6 to 12 hours. The truck driverstops at first rest stop 32 and requests a turn from turn-distributingterminal 18. The queue is managed substantially analogously to thatdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

If the truck driver is not interested in receiving the offered at leastone warning communication, controller 20 assigns the truck driver a turnin the queue, provides a turn-ticket (e.g., physical or virtual)designating the assigned turn through turn-distributing terminal 18. Thetruck-drive proceeds to park in the physical queue of trucks on anaccess road 40 to cargo-container depot 30. In the usual way ofcargo-container depots (First In First Out), when depot 30 is able toprovide service to a truck, the truck closest to depot 30 on access road40 enters depot 30 and the rest of the trucks in the physical queueadvance a truck length. During the wait, a truck driver waiting in thephysical queue may rest or sleep in a truck.

If a truck driver requesting a turn in the queue is interested inreceiving at least one warning communication and requests to receive atleast one warning communication at turn-distributing terminal 18, therequest is treated as described herein.

The truck driver is assigned a turn in the queue and provided with aturn-ticket and is free to spend her time as she will withoutnecessarily waiting in the physical queue, knowing that at least onewarning communication will be transmitted to her cellular telephone. Inthe specific embodiment discussed herein, one warning communication istransmitted when the number of turns in the queue to be served prior tothe turn assigned to the truck driver corresponds to about an hour wait.As the time required for container loading and unloading is knownrelatively accurately, the estimate of such a queue waiting time isrelatively accurate. Upon receipt of the warning communication, thetruck driver drives in reserved lane 40 b on access road 40, bypassingtrucks parked in the physical queue of access road 40. In such a way,the truck driver is able to enter cargo-container depot 30 when heractual turn arrives.

As above, advertisements are sent to the truck driver. Someadvertisements sent are for service available in proximity of first reststop 32 (the waiting area), for example services offered in commercialarea 38.

For example, if the queue waiting time is between 6 and 7 hours, anadvertisement is sent “spend the night at Hotel Sombrero” or “come andeat breakfast at Barbara's tomorrow morning before you drive to thedepot”. For example, if the queue waiting time is between 2 and 3 hours,an advertisement is sent “Shiatsu and sauna, 25% off” or “Edward's hairsalon is open, look good for that depot!”.

As with the embodiment discussed with reference to FIG. 1, the nature ofadvertisements sent is related to the waiting time and a choice made bythe person. Additionally, in the embodiment discussed with reference toFIG. 3, some advertisements are for a service available in proximity ofa route between turn-distributing terminal 18 and cargo-containerterminal 20, the service location. For example, in some suchembodiments, an advertisement is sent for a gas station 42 on the roadbetween first rest area 32 and cargo-container depot 30, for example, anadvertisement is sent “Don't just drive by! Get our world famous Haggiswith your coffee at Mel's Gas Station”.

As known in the art, in queues of some service locations (e.g., medicalclinics) many or most of the persons who are interested in service fromthe service location have pre-ordered a turn in the queue, for example,from a remote location by telephone or Internet, usually the pre-orderedturn expressed in terms of a specific designated time to receive theservice. A person arriving at the designated time is rarely served atthe designated time, both due to time overruns and due to a policy toensure that the service provider is always busy. As a result, the personmust wait in a queue even when a turn is pre-ordered.

An additional embodiment of the method of queue management disclosedherein including pre-ordered turns in a queue is described withreference to FIG. 4. In FIG. 4A, a medical clinic 40 (the servicelocation) is located in a shopping mall 14 (the waiting area) whereclinic 40 includes a reception area 16 with a turn-distributing terminal18. In FIG. 4B is a part of a flow-chart schematically depicting thequeue management.

Queue management in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 issubstantially similar to that of the embodiments described above.

In the usual way of queue management, controller 20 displays the valueof current turn served and the following turn served on display board24. Periodically, a worker (e.g., a medical secretary) uses a counterterminal 22 to indicate to controller 20 that a client has been helpedand the next client may receive assistance at medical clinic 40.Controller 20 increments the value of current turn served 202.Controller 20 displays a “welcome” screen on turn-distributing terminal18, 100 in FIG. 4B.

Unlike the “welcome” screen discussed above with reference to FIG. 1,controller 20 displays two choices “I want to see a doctor” or “I havealready reserved a turn”.

A person needing service from medical clinic 40 arrives in receptionarea 16 and requests a turn using the touch-screen of turn-distributingterminal 18.

If the person has not pre-ordered a turn, the person selects the choice“I want to see a doctor” and the request is received by processor 20 andcontinues as described above with reference to FIG. 1, starting with 102a in FIG. 4B. The person is assigned a turn in the queue and proceedssubstantially as described above, 104 to 106 in FIG. 4B (if no warningcommunications are desired) or 104 to 132 in FIG. 4B (if warningcommunications are desired). The person is assigned a turn in the queue(104 in FIG. 4B) according to a policy decided upon by the queueoperator. For example, in some embodiments a person who has notpre-ordered a turn is assigned a turn at the end of the queue. Forexample, in some embodiments, a person who has not pre-ordered a turn isassigned a turn between two people who have pre-ordered a turn. In someembodiments, after the person has finished at turn-distributing terminal18 (e.g., 106 or 122 in FIG. 4B), the person may be required to use atleast some of the queue waiting time providing preparatory information,for example through turn-distributing terminal 18 or to a medicalsecretary, for example in reception area 16.

If the person has pre-ordered a turn, the person selects the choice “Ihave already reserved a turn” through turn-distributing terminal 18.Controller 20 receives the request for the pre-ordered turn fromturn-distributing terminal 18, 134 in FIG. 4B.

Controller 20 uses turn-distributing terminal 18 to request confirmationthat the person indeed has pre-ordered a turn “Please input yourreservation number”, 136 in FIG. 4B.

In response, the person uses the touch screen of turn-distributingterminal 18 to enter a reservation number received when ordering thepre-ordered turn.

Controller 20 receives the entered reservation number fromturn-distributing terminal 18, 138 in FIG. 4B.

Controller 20 compares the entered reservation number to a list ofpre-ordered turns (not depicted) maintained in controller 20 to confirmthat the pre-ordered turn exists, 140 in FIG. 4B.

If the reservation number does not exist in the list of pre-orderedturns, controller 20 displays the welcome screen using the touch screenof turn-distributing terminal 18, 100 in FIG. 4B.

If the reservation number exists and the person's turn in the queue hasnot yet arrived, controller 20 assigned the person the pre-ordered turnand continues substantially as described above, 104 to 106 in FIG. 4B(if no warning communications are desired) or 104 to 132 in FIG. 4B (ifwarning communications are desired).

If the reservation number exists and the person's turn in the queue hasalready passed, the person is treated like a person who has notpre-ordered a turn in the queue, substantially as described above.

In some of the embodiments described above, there is only oneturn-distributing terminal positioned in a waiting area. In someembodiments, two or more turn-distributing terminals positioned in awaiting area (e.g., as discussed with reference to FIG. 2). In someembodiments, the turn-distributing terminals are all positioned inproximity one to the other. In some embodiments, the turn-distributingterminals are distant one from the other, for example, a service isprovided by a pharmacy in a shopping mall that is the waiting area, andthere is a turn-distributing terminal positioned at two or moredifferent locations (e.g., different entrances) of the waiting area.

In some of the embodiments described above, there is only one waitingarea where at least one turn-distributing terminal is positioned. Insome embodiments, there are two or more waiting areas (e.g., asdiscussed with reference to FIG. 3), where there is at least oneturn-distributing terminals positioned in each waiting area. Suchembodiments are generally implemented when the person waiting in thequeue is able to travel in a vehicle, for example in embodiments forcargo-container depot queue management.

In some of the embodiments discussed above, advertisements are all sentat one time at the beginning of a person's wait in the queue, allowingthe person to rationally plan how to spend the queue waiting time. Insome embodiments, advertisements are sent at other times during thequeue waiting time. In some such embodiments, a queue managementcontroller such as 20 records which of the persons who is eligible toreceive advertisements, for example in a database 206.

Generally, the mode of transmission of warning communications is such asto reach a person remote from the service location (e.g., not in theservice location or in a reception area of the service location, in someembodiments at least about 2 meter from the service location or from areception area of the service location and in some embodiments in someembodiments at least about 5 meter from the service location or from areception area of the service location). Such a feature allows theperson to be distant from the service location and/or reception area,giving the person freedom to use the queue waiting time.

In some embodiments, the mode by which advertisements are sent isconfigured to reach a person remote from the service location (e.g., notin the service location or in a reception area of the service location,in some embodiments at least about 2 meter from the service location orfrom a reception area of the service location and in some embodiments insome embodiments at least about 5 meter from the service location orfrom a reception area of the service location). Such a feature allowsthe person to be distant from the service location and/or receptionarea, giving the person maximal access to useful advertisements.

In the embodiments discussed above, a person assigned a turn in a queueis also provided with a turn-ticket, for example a physical turn-ticket(e.g., a printed paper ticket) or a virtual turn-ticket (e.g., an SMSdesignating the turn). In some embodiments, a turn-ticket is notprovided.

In the embodiments discussed above, the communication route described isa cellular telephone number and communications with the person areperformed with the help of text messages (e.g., SMS). In someembodiments, additional or alternative suitable communication routes areused, for example electronic mail, electronic mail through the Internet,or messages on a dedicated Internet web site, for example accessibleusing a mobile communication device. In some embodiments, in addition toor alternatively to text messages, other types of suitable communicationmodes are used, for example, voice messages, audible signals, graphicmessages (descriptive images) and the like.

In some embodiments described above, communication to a communicationroute is with a communication device that constitutes the Internet,using a suitable website and associated hardware that allowstransmission of communications to a mobile communication device of aperson such as a cellular telephone using a cellular telephone network.In some embodiments, other communications devices are used, for example,WiFi Networks, Bluetooth networks and the like.

In some embodiments discussed above, a confirmation communication thatincludes a number is sent. As noted above, in some embodiments, othertypes of confirmation communications are sent, such as communicationsincluding images or audible information, especially when there is fearthat a person may abuse the queue management method and send a surrogateto be present at the waiting area to request a turn. For example, insome embodiments, an image is sent as a confirmation communication tothe communication route and a valid response to the confirmationcommunication is to select an image from amongst a number of imagesdisplayed at the turn-distributing terminal in a limited time. Forexample, in some embodiments, an audible voice message is sent as aconfirmation communication to the communication route and a validresponse to the confirmation communication is to follow the instructionsgiven in the voice message to select a valid response amongst a numberof responses displayed at the turn-distributing terminal in a limitedtime.

As noted above, in some embodiments receipt of at least one warningcommunications is contingent on agreement to pay for at least onewarning communications. In some embodiments receipt of at least onewarning communications does not require payment.

As noted above, in some embodiments sending an advertisement to a personis contingent on receipt of consent therefore. In some embodiments,agreement to receive advertisements is explicit: the person accepts orrejects an offer that advertisements be sent. In some embodiments,agreement to receive advertisements is implicit in requesting at leastone warning communications. In some embodiments, a person is not askedwhether or not advertisements are to be sent.

As is understood from the above, whereas many methods of queuemanagement known in the art are directed at managing a queue for theconvenience of a service location, embodiments of the methods describedherein are also directed at increasing the convenience of a person whocomes to a service location to receive a service, including by providingthe person a more convenient and pleasurable wait, allowing a person tomake efficient use of waiting time, and providing the person with usefuland focused advertisements.

Embodiments of the method and devices described herein are easilyimplemented by a person having ordinary skill in the art without undueexperimentation upon perusal of the description and figures herein. Someembodiments may be easily implemented by modification of existing queuemanagement devices (including queue management controllers,turn-distributing terminals, counter terminals and display boards) suchas commercially available from Q-Matic Corporation (Fletcher, N.C.,USA), Shenzen AOTO Electronics CO., Ltd. (Shiyan, Shenzen, China), QMSAids (Vilnius, Lithuania), GMS Sdn Bhd (Selangor, Malaysia) and LonstoLtd (Southgate, London, UK). Selecting advertisements from a set ofadvertisements to send to a person based on one or more characteristicsof the person may be implemented using any known methods and devices,for example, commercially available methods and devices as implementedby Google, Mountain View, Calif., USA. Control of a database includingselecting and updating records, for example a list of advertisementssuch as 208 or a list of persons 206 is easily implemented by a personskilled in the art of data bases, using commercially available databasesoftware (e.g., Microsoft Office Access by Microsoft®, Redmond, Wash.,USA or OpenOffice.org Base, Sun Microsystems, Santa Clara, Calif., USA)in consultation with instructions, help files and tutorial programsavailable with such database programs

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other describedembodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the contextof various embodiments are not to be considered essential features ofthose embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without thoseelements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Citation or identification of any reference in this application shallnot be construed as an admission that such reference is available asprior art to the invention.

Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of thespecification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

1. A method for queue management for a service provided at a servicelocation, comprising: a. positioning at least one turn-distributingterminal at a waiting area; b. upon request by a person for a turn froma said turn-distributing terminal, determining whether said person haspre-ordered a said turn prior to arriving at said waiting area; if saidpre-ordering of said turn is confirmed through said turn-distributingterminal, assigning said person said turn, then: c. subsequent to ‘b’,offering said person an option of receiving at least one warningcommunication warning of the approach of said turn; d. subsequent to c,if said person accepts said offer, accepting a communication route ofthe person in said waiting area; and e. prior to said turn, transmittingto said person at least one said warning communication.
 2. A method forqueue management for a service provided at a service location,comprising: a. positioning at least one turn-distributing terminal at awaiting area; b. upon request by a person for a turn from a saidturn-distributing terminal, assigning said person a turn in a queue; c.offering said person an option of receiving at least one warningcommunication warning of the approach of said turn; d. subsequent to c,if said person accepts said offer, accepting a communication route ofsaid person in said waiting area; and e. prior to said turn,transmitting to said person at least one said warning communication.wherein said turn distributing terminal is configured to obtainpositioning information, wherein said request by said person for a turncomprises said person accessing an application running on a mobilecommunication device, and wherein following said receipt of saidrequest, said assigning a turn in said queue comprises saidturn-distributing terminal obtaining positioning information for saidmobile communication device, and assigning said person a turn in saidqueue only if said person is located in or near said waiting area, asindicated by said positioning information.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein said positioning information comprises Global NavigationSatellite System information.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein saidpositioning information comprises information obtained from a mobilecommunication center regarding a wireless relay point for mobilecommunication currently being accessed by said mobile communicationdevice used by the person.
 5. A method for queue management for aservice provided at a service location, comprising: a. positioning atleast one turn-distributing terminal at a waiting area; b. upon requestby a person for a turn from a said turn-distributing terminal, assigningsaid person a turn in a queue; c. offering said person an option ofreceiving at least one warning communication warning of the approach ofsaid turn; d. subsequent to c, if said person accepts said offer,accepting a communication route of said person in said waiting area; ande. prior to said turn, transmitting to said person at least one saidwarning communication. wherein said turn in a queue assigned to saidperson is a turn in a queue dedicated for people who have agreed toreceive at least one said warning communication.
 6. The method of claim5, further comprising, subsequent to said accepting said communicationroute, sending said person at least one advertisement.
 7. The method ofclaim 5, wherein said requesting a turn is free.
 8. The method of claim7, further comprising, subsequent to said accepting said communicationroute, sending said person at least one advertisement.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein said requesting a turn requires payment of a fee. 10.The method of claim 9, further comprising, subsequent to said acceptingsaid communication route, sending said person at least oneadvertisement.